A DUNFERMLINE training company has clinched its biggest deal yet – thanks to its appearance on hit TV show, Dragons’ Den.

Tree of Knowledge is set to recruit more staff and has expanded into new premises at Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt Avenue, after securing a partnership agreement with the UK’s largest exam board, AQA (the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance).

Begins a spokesperson: “Under the arrangement – launching this month – AQA will offer Tree of Knowledge’s fun and motivational courses and resources for teachers and pupils to schools throughout England and Wales. The firm has previously operated mainly in Scotland.”

Says Tree of Knowledge managing director, Gavin Oattes: “This is by far the biggest contract we have clinched and it’s hugely exciting for us.

“We have been targeting growth in England for some time but not at the scale this deal will help us achieve. We are looking at moving into a market that’s 40 times the size of the one in which we operate now.

“This arrangement will help us realise our dream of becoming the main motivational training provider in schools throughout the UK.”

The spokesperson added: “AQA, the UK’s largest A-level and GCSE awarding body, contacted Tree of Knowledge after seeing Mr Oattes and fellow director, Alan Burton, make a pitch for investment and support on the BBC 2 programme Dragons’ Den in August.”

Philippa Chadwick, AQA’s assistant director for business development, said of their decision to partner with Tree of Knowledge: “Our continuing professional development (CPD) unit already offers training and development opportunities to all teachers: our partnership with Tree of Knowledge will add a new range of fun and motivational courses and resources for teachers and pupils.

“The courses promote confidence and positivity and when we saw the team on Dragons’ Den, we just knew it was right for us to work with them.”